Sergio Garcia apologized to Tiger Woods for saying he would serve fried chicken if they were to have dinner at the U.S. Open, an ugly addition to nearly two weeks of verbal sparring. What had been a celebration of European golf at an awards dinner south of London shifted suddenly to a racially sensitive moment involving Woods, the No. 1 golfer in the world and the only player of African-American heritage on the PGA Tour. Garcia said he meant to give a funny answer to a playful question, and it turned out to be "totally stupid and out of place." "I feel sick about it and I feel truly, truly sorry," he said Wednesday from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, site of the European Tours flagship event. The two golfers have exchanged barbs the last 11 days, dating to the third round of The Players Championship when Garcia implied that Woods purposely stirred up the gallery as the Spaniard was playing a shot. Woods said it was not surprising that Garcia was complaining. Garcia and his Ryder Cup teammates were at a dinner Tuesday night when the emcee, Golf Channels Steve Sands, jokingly asked Garcia if he would have Woods over for dinner during the U.S. Open. "Well have him round every night," Garcia replied. "We will serve fried chicken." The remark was reminiscent of Fuzzy Zoellers similar comment about Woods during his record-setting victory in the 1997 Masters, where Woods became the first player of black heritage to win a major. Garcia issued a statement through the European Tour after the dinner that did not mention Woods by name. He apologized "for any offence that may have been caused" by answering the question with a "silly remark." "But in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner," the statement said. Woods responded Wednesday morning with a series of tweets that said: "The comment that was made wasnt silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate. Im confident that there is real regret the remark was made. The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and its long past time to move on and talk about golf." That was one thing upon which both players finally agreed. Garcia held an impromptu news conference at Wentworth to elaborate on his statement. "I want to also apologize to my Ryder Cup teammates who were there last night for taking the shine away from a wonderful event, and finally and foremost, I want to apologize to Tiger and to anyone I could have offended," he said. "I felt very sick about it and feel really bad, and just hope to settle things down and move on." Garcia said he left a voicemail for Mark Steinberg, Woods agent at Excel Sports, because he doesnt have a phone number for Woods. Steinberg did not immediately respond to an email to confirm he received the call, or if Woods planned to call Garcia. "I would love to talk to them as soon as possible and make sure that everything is OK, tell them how sorry I am and obviously it was a bad comment that shouldnt have been said," Garcia said. The reference to fried chicken, a stereotype as a favourite food among blacks, first surfaced when Woods was emerging as golfs biggest star. He was on his way to a record score and a 12-shot win at Augusta National in 97 when Zoeller, who grew up in southern Indiana, spoke of his performance that week. "So you know what you guys do when he gets in there? Pat him on the back, say congratulations, enjoy it, and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it?" Zoeller said. And then he added as he walked away, "Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve." The remark followed Zoeller, a popular two-time major champion, for the rest of his career and cost him major endorsements. Garcias main sponsor is TaylorMade-adidas, which issued a statement Wednesday that his comment "was offensive and in no way aligns with TaylorMade-adidas Golfs values and corporate culture. "We have spoken with Sergio directly and he clearly has regret for his statement and we believe he is sincere," the statement said. "We discussed with Sergio that his comments are clearly out of bounds and we are continuing to review the matter." Garcia said he was unaware of Zoellers comments because he was only 17 at the time. Even so, it was a peculiar choice of words for a player who has lived in Spain his entire life, though the 33-year-old has been a PGA Tour member since he was 20. Even as the game has grown in international popularity, and Woods has gone from something of a curiosity as an African-American star to one of the best players of all time, he has occasionally endured racially insensitive remarks. At an awards night for caddies in Shanghai in November 2011, his former caddie received an award for best TV interview. Steve Williams, who had been fired by Woods in the summer of 2011, was on the bag for Adam Scott when he won at Firestone. Williams said in a CBS interview that it was "the best win of my life." When he received the mock award, Williams said of the interview, "It was my aim to shove it right up that black a------." He apologized to Woods the next week at the Australian Open. Five years ago, Golf Channels Kelly Tilghman and analyst Nick Faldo were discussing possible challengers to Woods when Faldo suggested the players gang up on him. "Lynch him in a back alley," Tilghman replied. Tilghman and Woods are friends, and she apologized to him immediately. Woods came to her defence, saying there was no ill intent. Tilghman was suspended for two weeks. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and European Tour chief executive George OGrady were at the awards dinner Tuesday night. OGrady said in a statement that he and Finchem spoke to Garcia after his pro-am round at Wentworth. "Sergio expressed very deep and sincere regret for his unguarded and, in his own words, stupid remark and we are also aware of his statement of apology," OGrady said. "Following our meeting, we have accepted his full apology and we consider the matter closed." PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said the tour would not be commenting on the public feud between two marquee players. Their dispute has been yet another difficult moment in a PGA Tour season filled with them, from Vijay Singh suing the tour after he was cleared of an anti-doping violation to the tours opposition to a new rule that outlaws the putting stroke used by four of the last six major champions. Anything involving Woods always draws attention, though its rare to have two high-profile players exchange barbs through the media. "I cant believe its lasted this long," Matt Kuchar said from the Colonial. "I think everybodys shaking their heads. Its over two weeks ago now, and it just seems to be drawing out too far, and unfortunately people just wont let it go. Itd be nice for it to go away. "I think the game is in great shape," he said. "We dont need whats going on between Tiger and Sergio. Its kind of too bad its dragged out this far." Tim Herron added, "The issues not even golf. Its about their character and whatever. Get over it, were out of junior high and high school. Just go play golf." Garcia is not expected to run into Woods until the U.S. Open at Merion outside Philadelphia, where the Spaniard is not sure what kind of reception he will receive -- from Woods, the other players and especially the gallery. The New York gallery at Bethpage Black in 2002 heckled him for constantly gripping his club, and at one point Garcia showed them his middle finger. The gallery at Merion, a private club, will be half of what it was at the public Bethpage track on Long Island. Garcia said he hoped this might lead to an improved relationship with Woods. "Like I said before, I am terribly sorry for what happened and I am sure we can talk soon and I can apologize to him face-to-face, and move forward and forget about the whole thing," he said. Cheap Chicago Bears Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Los Angeles Clippers Jersey China . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. http://www.cheapsoccermlsjerseys.net/Cheap-Chicago-White-Sox-Jersey-Wholesale-29-Go/Cheap Los Angeles Clippers Jersey .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Cheap Chicago White sox Jersey . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Lilly King has her sights set on winning Olympic gold and shes not about to let anyone get in her way, especially not world champion breaststroker Yulia Efimova of Russia.King made that clear in a finger-wagging display after her 100-meter breaststroke win over the Russian, who has a history of doping. King pointedly disparaged the Russian after the event over her drug history, and the feud has helped make doping spats among swimmers an intriguing subplot in the Rio Games so far.A separate fight over doping between swimmers from Australia and China escalated on Monday, prompting officials from the two nations to join the fray. And the dispute between King and Efimova has the potential to grow as the two compete for a medal Monday night.The source of the feuds is suspensions handed down to Efimova and Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, who served three months in 2014 over a banned heart medication. Efimovas actions and punishment were more severe -- she missed 16 months for doping and tested positive this year for the now-banned substance meldonium.The positive meldonium test was placed on hold while world anti-doping officials conduct further studies on the drug.If thats what she feels she needs to be able to compete, whatever, thats her deal, King told reporters. Im here to compete clean for the U.S. and thats what Im going to do.A smattering of boos greeted Efimova after she won her preliminary heat Sunday. The Russian mens 4x100 freestyle relay was also booed when introduced for their final the same night. For her part, Efimova waved a No. 1 finger after her semifinal Sunday, prompting King to do her own finger-wagging.The dispute between King and Efimova went beyond the pool when officials from Australia and China got involved.Australian swimmer Mack Horton originally labeled Sun a drug cheat. The Chinese Swimming Association asked Horton on Monday to apologize for his inappropriate words. Australias Olympic Committee shot back in Hortons defense hours later, saying he was speaking his mind in support of clean athletes and wished him luck.It was the second time in days that Horton had publicly referred to Suns drug suspension as part of what the Australian team acknowledged is a campaign to rattle the Chinese star who won two golds at the 2012 Olympics.Sun has previously said he did noot know the medication trimetazidine, which he took for chronic heart palpitations, had been placed on the banned list when he tested positive.dddddddddddd He burst into tears Sunday after losing to Horton, garnering an outpouring of support from Chinese social media users who pilloried Horton on his Facebook page. The Australian was accused of snubbing Suns attempt to congratulate him on his win immediately after the race, although the two did briefly shake hands later at the podium.The spiraling row has generated a shrill response from Chinese media during what has already been a period of elevated tensions after Australia voiced opposition in recent weeks to Chinese claims of maritime territory.On Monday, Xinhua released a slew of gently critical articles on topics ranging from Australian trade policy to Melbournes quality of life. The Global Times tabloid opted for a more blunt approach, referring to Australia in a commentary as a former British offshore prison that is on the fringes of civilization.As part of the International Olympic Committees decision not to throw the entire Russian team out of the Olympics, Efimova was initially banned along with six other Russian swimmers who either had positive tests on their record or were named in an investigation of Russias massive, state-sanctioned doping scheme.Now, it looks like theyll all be competing in Rio de Janeiro, though world swimming body FINA has not fully explained why.Efimova is also expected to swim the 200 breaststroke and presumably the 4x100 medley relay. She will swim next to each other in the 100-meter breaststroke final Monday night.Efimova declined to speak with reporters after the semifinals, but promised to talk after Mondays final. Earlier Sunday, she described the last six months as crazy and said she didnt understand whats going on.When pressed about criticism from rival swimmers and coaches, she smiled and walked away.Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania, the world record holder in the 100 breast, said Efimovas doping history is disrespectful to other athletes.We train fair, she said. When something like that happens, its never nice. These are not the values of our sport.---Shih contributed from Beijing. Cheap NFL JerseysWholesale JerseysWholesale NFL JerseysJerseys From ChinaWholesale NFL JerseysCheap NFL JerseysCheap JerseysCheap Jerseys ' ' '